‘Unshakeable’ AFL giant not talked about enough; mystery over star’s drop-off — Blowtorch

There’s a leading premiership contender not being talked about enough despite starting the year 3-0, while a burgeoning superstar’s less-than-ideal start to the season has prompted questions.

Plus, how the Blues can turn their fortunes around as a prime-time blockbuster looms, and all eyes on the Eagles after the Oscar Allen events of this week.

Every club’s burning question ahead of Round 4, as well as the commentators for every Fox Footy game, in our ultimate weekly preview: The Blowtorch!

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AFL ROUND 4 (all times AEDT)

BYES: Essendon and Hawthorn

COLLINGWOOD v CARLTON

Thursday April 3, 7.30pm at MCG

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6.30pm on Channel 504, hosted by Sarah Jones, Jason Dunstall, David King, Leigh Montagna & Jon Ralph, with commentary from Mark Howard, Matt Hill, Jack Riewoldt, David King, Brad Johnson & Eddie Betts.

Magpies’ burning question: Will picking the oldest side in history pay off?

At 2-1 and fresh off their early bye, the Pies are in a decent position after getting walloped by GWS to start the season. But they come up against a Carlton side raring to go and desperate to get their first win on the board, and Craig McRae’s match committee have picked the oldest team in AFL history to combat those Blues. After naming the second-oldest team in history in Round 2, McRae’s side to battle Michael Voss’ Blues will have an average age of 28 years and 275 days. Two-time premiership player David King warned on Fox Footy’s First Crack Preview: “If you’re going to pick an old team, you’ve got to get it done. You can’t go in old and get beat by Carlton, who are on the rack.” The Pies have won five of their past six against the Blues, and the past two have been absolute heartbreakers for Carlton fans.

Blues’ burning question: If not fatigue, what is Blues’ big issue?

The spotlight has been shone on Carlton’s inability to close out games after it was last Friday trumped in the second half for the third-straight week to start its season. But Michael Voss didn’t think fatigue was at the centre of his side’s issues. “I think if you look across the whole game, our forward-half numbers have been quite strong … but our ability to be able to continue to execute has been a factor,” he said. So, what’s more likely the cause for concern at Princes Park? The quality of their ball use, for a start. The Blues are currently the worst kicking side in the competition, ranking 18th for efficiency by foot through four rounds. And aside from turnovers, a byproduct of their poor use is they’re having serious issues converting their opportunities going inside 50. When the Blues go inside 50, there’s just a 16 per cent likelihood that it translates to a goal kicked. In their eight-point loss to the Western Bulldogs last Friday, Carlton won the inside-50 and clearance counts but posted a 34 per cent efficiency rate from their entries. But don’t get it twisted; there are positives for the Blues. They currently rank first in the AFL for defending ball movement, for generating intercepts, and for their chain-to-score rate. “There are a lot of positive signs … just finishing their work, it’s the last piece … if they can fix that part of their game, I think the wins might come,” dual All-Australian Leight Montagna told First Crack Preview on Wednesday. “I’m just sticking fat with them, my gut feel is they can cause an upset tomorrow.”

GEELONG v MELBOURNE

Friday April 4, 7.40pm at GMHBA Stadium

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6.30pm on Channel 504, hosted by Garry Lyon, Jonathan Brown, Nathan Buckley, Jordan Lewis & Jon Ralph, with commentary from Anthony Hudson, Gerard Whateley, Jason Dunstall, Garry Lyon & Ruby Schleicher.

Cats’ burning question: How can Cats counter other teams’ counter?

The Lions overturned a 32-point deficit against the Cats last Saturday night, and they did it with an uncontested marking game, and it leaves master coach Chris Scott needing a counter for the counter. After taking 28 uncontested marks in the first half, the hosts took a whopping 61 in the second (89 total) as they built the game up from defence to attack. “Geelong just couldn’t adjust, they (the Lions) were able to change angles, move the ball around, and their execution went through the roof,” Lions legend Jonathan Brown told On the Couch. Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley added: “It forced Geelong to have to defend for longer … in the third quarter, they were defending pretty much the whole time.” Intriguingly, when Geelong conceded more than 80 uncontested marks in a game, it wins that game just 41 per cent of the time, compared to a 91 per cent win rate when it concedes less than 80. There’ll be a watch on whether the Dees look to attack the Cats with an uncontested game style at GMHBA Stadium.

Demons’ burning question: Do they make changes in the midfield to find necessary ‘sizzle’?

Melbourne was thoroughly beaten around the ball in its comprehensive loss to Gold Coast — it was -16 for total clearances and had its centre-clearance number doubled by the visiting Suns — amid calls for personnel changes in the guts. Saints great Leigh Montagna was critical of the Dees’ positioning at stoppages and overall lack of ‘sizzle’. “I don’t think they help themselves, and particularly in that game where they were just standing and wrestling against their opponents rather than actually getting on the move,” Montagna told First Crack Preview. “I think they’ve got an opportunity against Geelong (on Friday) against De Koning and Blicavs for Gawn to dominate this facet of the game. But if they don’t bring any sizzle to what they want to do at ground level with their midfielders, then it’s going to be hard work for them to score again … maybe it is time for Kozzie Pickett now that he’s back in the side, or Trent Rivers, to get after them.” Montagna added Kade Chandler — who has made a very positive start to the campaign — could be another “for Simon Goodwin to ponder” for a run through the midfield against the Cats.

GOLD COAST SUNS v ADELAIDE CROWS

Saturday April 5, 1.20pm at People First Stadium

How to watch on Fox Footy: Super Saturday starts from 12pm on Channel 504, hosted by Kath Loughnan, Jack Riewoldt, David King & Jay Clark, with commentary from Leigh Montagna, Brad Johnson, Alastair Lynch & Nick Dal Santo.

Suns’ burning question: Do they have the best centre-bounce player in the sport?

Matt Rowell has made a tremendous start to the season for the Suns, and he was at his ball-winning best against the Demons last Saturday, logging a game-high 36 disposals, 13 clearances and nine score involvements. “He was extraordinary, and he’s been unbelievable in his first two games of the season. He’s a high calibre midfielder,” said King, who believes there’s been a “shift” in his game. “We know what he does at clearance, but there’s a shift — now he’s leg-driving out of traffic and getting high-quality possessions going forward. His game’s changed. You have to look at him now as a different player, because he’s not only taking the game from inside to out, he’s prepared to carry it, and he’s prepared to be a metres-gained (type of) player now as well.” After averaging 5.9 score involvements last year, Rowell thus far in 2025 has bumped that number to an even-scarier 8.0 per game. “I think he’s probably the best centre-bounce player in the competition right now … Rowell is now taking it from inside to outside; that’s a totally different discussion,” King added.

Crows’ burning question: Is veteran’s F50 weapon the best going around?

The Crows have plenty of weapons in the forward half, whether it’s Riley Thilthorpe, Darcy Fogarty, Josh Rachele when he’s healthy or Izak Rankine when he’s playing in attack, but one of their most dangerous comes in the form of ‘Tex’ Walker — and one of his best ‘ploys’ is at forward-50 stoppages. “Taylor Walker is the best in the business at this. And it is a red flag, now, for any team when there’s a forward-50 stoppage inside Adelaide’s forward-line, because he is as good as anyone at being able to hit the scoreboard from taking it out of the ruck,” Montagna told First Crack. “He did it twice (against the Roos), I loved his game … I think it’s a great ploy, and other rucks have got to be careful.” King said Walker was becoming “a difficult matchup” in a roaming role for Adelaide, having recorded a game-high nine score involvements last Sunday. “This is a man in serious form,” he said. Walker has kicked six goals in three games this year and ranks seventh in the league for score involvements, with the Crows asserting themselves as a dark horse flag contender.

RICHMOND v BRISBANE LIONS

Saturday April 5, 4.15pm at MCG

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 4pm on Channel 504, hosted by Kath Loughnan, Jack Riewoldt, David King & Jay Clark, with commentary from Anthony Hudson, Jason Dunstall, Nathan Buckley & Sarah Jones.

Tigers’ burning question: Can they prevent another blowout?

Since their Round 1 boilover win against Carlton, it’s been a pretty disappointing fortnight for the Tigers, who have shown great effort in spurts but were largely completely outclassed by Port Adelaide and St Kilda in Rounds 2 and 3 respectively. Richmond allowed the Power 180 more disposals; the biggest disposal differential on record. The, against the Saints, Yze’s men surrendered a whopping 21 marks inside 50 — St Kilda’s second-best return in seven years — amid a 14-goal second half. Granted, this is largely a young and inexperienced group of players, and not much was expected of them heading into the year — but they’ve shown already this year they can commit themselves to a match-winning extent. And while their second win is highly unlikely to come against the reigning premiers this Saturday, a better sustained effort must be exhibited.

Lions’ burning question: Are they somehow flying under the radar?

Brisbane came back after being down as many as 32 points against Geelong in last Saturday night’s prelim final rematch, and yet it doesn’t appear to be receiving the plaudits it should, particularly as reigning flag-bearers. “It is not often that the reigning premier starts the new year 3-0, knocks off two of last year’s preliminary finalists, and yet are not getting spoken about or getting the credit that they deserve for where they sit,” Montagna said on First Crack. “Incredibly, they are not premiership favourites … Brisbane should be getting all the credit in the world, and they are still the team that everyone has to beat if they want to win this premiership, because they now have this resilience and inner confidence and belief with this group that’s almost unshakeable … I think maybe Chris Fagan is just happy to be quietly sitting to the side, letting some other teams get all the attention while they go about their business.” Don’t forget, the Lions have won 17 of their past 19 games. It’ll likely be 18 of 20 after this Saturday. Overlook them at your peril.

NORTH MELBOURNE v SYDNEY SWANS

Saturday April 5, 7.35pm at Marvel Stadium

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 7.15pm on Channel 503, hosted by Kath Loughnan, Jack Riewoldt, David King & Jay Clark, with commentary from Dwayne Russell, Mark Howard, Garry Lyon, Jonathan Brown & Cameron Mooney.

Kangaroos’ burning question: What’s going on with Harry Sheezel?

Burgeoning Roos star Harry Sheezel has had a relatively inauspicious start to the season, ranking 23rd, 23rd and 22nd respectively in player rankings across North’s first three games. “Don’t look at the basic number of disposals (he has), because they don’t tell the full story of impact. It’s where you rank on the ground. Are you actually shifting the course of games? … This club needs him to be the prime mover that he was last season,” King said on First Crack. Sheezel ranked 19th overall in player rankings last season but sits a lowly 211th thus far in 2025. “I don’t know (why he’s started slow). I’m not giving players excuses, we just have to assess if they’re out there … if he’s injured, well, you know what, bad luck. You get assessed on what we see. He just doesn’t seem to have the burst at the moment, whether it’s a confidence issue or not, and his kicking is short of where it was last year,” King said. Sheezel attended 25 per cent fewer centre-bounces against Adelaide than he did against Melbourne in Round 2, and if he runs through the middle against the Swans, he could cop some James Jordon attention if he doesn’t go to Luke Davies-Uniacke.

Swans’ burning question: What to make of the early returns on Dean Cox’s Swans?

The Swans are 1-2 in the early stages of the Dean Cox era, but it’s seemed like their start to the season has been better than that of a 1-2 side, particularly after they were in a winning position against Brisbane in Round 1 and fell by four points. After all, they’ve played very solid opposition in Hawthorn, the Lions and Fremantle. Their territory game could use some work — currently fifth-worst for inside-50 differential — but their back-half profile is in a good spot; ranked third in the competition for defensive-half scoring differential. And fresh off their first bye, the Swans should be raring to go against a North Melbourne side that is no longer an easy-beat, looking to square their 2025 ledger with stars Errol Gulden and Callum Mills still out of action. They should see the return of key forward Logan McDonald alongside Joel Amartey and Hayden McLean. It’d be fair to say that Cox’s experiment of Tom McCartin in the forward-line didn’t work out, but his innovation can be admired.

GWS GIANTS v WEST COAST EAGLES

Sunday April 6, 1.10pm at ENGIE Stadium

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 1.00pm on Channel 504, hosted by Kelli Underwood, Tom Hawkins & David Zita with commentary from Dwayne Russell, Jordan Lewis, Gerard Healy & Alastair Lynch.

Giants’ burning question: What does response look like?

Granted, the wind played a massive part in last Saturday night’s topsy-turvy affair at UTAS Stadium, but under no circumstances is giving up a 35-point quarter-time lead acceptable — particularly for a genuine premiership contender, which it seems the 2-1 Giants are. And back at home for the first time since Opening Round, GWS must respond in emphatic fashion against an Eagles side reeling in multiple aspects. But it mustn’t take West Coast lightly, as Andrew McQualter’s men will be planning a rebound game of their own after falling convincingly in the Western Derby — and after the midweek events involving co-captain Oscar Allen …

Eagles’ burning question: How will playing group respond after Allen week?

A heap of attention has been focussed on the Eagles after reports emerged midweek that co-captain and impending free agent Oscar Allen met with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell, and the side’s response to a Western Derby thrashing will be a fascinating watch. AFL 360 co-host and former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon was particularly scathing of Allen’s decision to meet with Mitchell, saying on Fox Footy: “I just can’t have it. I can’t have the elected leader of the football club — who represents the players, who needs to set an example, and before they run down the race eyeballs them and asks for a commitment and an effort — then be meeting with an opposition coach.” It’s understood there’s ‘disappointment’ from the Eagles regarding the situation, but the most telling response will be whether West Coast shows up on Sunday afternoon in western Sydney against a premiership-contending Giants side hungry after a loss of their own.

PORT ADELAIDE v ST KILDA

Sunday April 6, 3.20pm at Adelaide Oval

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 3.00pm on Channel 504, hosted by Kelli Underwood, Tom Hawkins & David Zita with commentary from Anthony Hudson, Matt Hill, Mark Ricciuto, Shaun Burgoyne & Ben Dixon.

Power’s burning question: Is JHF going to be Josh Carr’s biggest challenge?

Jason Horne-Francis’ body language has come into focus again after Port Adelaide’s Round 3 defeat at the hands of Essendon. The talented ball-getter appeared frustrated more than a few times — and keeping the 21-year-old in check might prove one of Josh Carr’s most important tasks once he assumes the head-coaching reins next year. “It’s going to be a big story because there was some body language there (against the Bombers), there were some sooky moments early,” Jay Clark said on First Crack. “I know he did catch fire late in the game … but just earlier, I wondered whether he was fully engaged, and that was the knock at North Melbourne — when they were losing, it was toys out of the cot — are we seeing a bit more of that?” Montagna responded: “It’s going to be Josh Carr’s biggest challenge, isn’t it? The relationship that he can build with Horne-Francis to get the best out of him, it’s going to be a big watch.” King added: “They have a star-factor player, but they’ve got a problem.” Against Essendon, Horne-Francis managed 22 disposals, six clearances and a goal as the Power were pipped by a hungrier Dons side.

Saints’ burning question: Can they use ‘ever-present threat’ to claim big scalp?

The half-back-flank slingshotting combination of Jack Sinclair and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera continues to buoy the Saints in the early going. Sinclair in particular was instrumental against Richmond last Saturday, collecting a whopping 40 disposals as he earned a perfect 10 coaches’ votes. “When they kick the ball the way they do … if ball movement is king as we all think it is … these guys are such an asset. If you’ve got one, terrific, if you’ve got two, then you’re an ever-present threat,” King told First Crack. Sinclair and Wanganeen-Milera combined for 19 score involvements last Saturday. “Midfielders don’t get those numbers,” King added. I think we’ve got to talk about St Kilda, with Ross setting up his half-backs.” The Saints took 21 marks inside-50 against the Tigers; their second-best return in seven years. Meanwhile 20.15 (135) was their second-highest score in eight years. “Hopefully, when Max King does come back, he’s just part of the mix and they don’t revert back to just kicking it (exclusively) to Max, because what they’ve got working right now is the reason they’re putting scores on the board,” Leigh Montagna added.

FREMANTLE v WESTERN BULLDOGS

Sunday April 6, 5.10pm at Optus Stadium

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 5.00pm on Channel 504, hosted by Kelli Underwood, Tom Hawkins & David Zita with commentary from Adam Papalia, Matthew Pavlich, Dermott Brereton and Kath Loughnan.

Dockers’ burning question: Was their improved ball movement a sign of things to come?

The Dockers scored 11 times out of their back half against the Eagles last Sunday — they’ve done that just four times in the past two years. King said Justin Longmuir’s side looked ‘freer’ transitioning the footy in the Derby, though it did come against a wooden spoon candidate. “Finally, we’re sort of seeing it. It’s too quick and too easy to say: ‘the shackles are off, now they’re just playing’. They had a team which were vulnerable, and they made them pay. I just liked the fact they were prepared to dance through some holes and step, embrace that a tackler might actually get there, you might have to break one or two, and if you can break out of that bubble, they looked brilliant on offence, they really did. As free as they’ve played for a while.” But is it a sign of things to come? Well, it might against the Dogs, who through four rounds have conceded the fourth-most points from their opponent’s defensive half.

Bulldogs’ burning question: Do they have game’s ‘most underappreciated’ player?

Injuries to Marcus Bontempelli and Adam Treloar have left no small void, but there’s a 32-year-old admirably leading the charge in their absence. “I’ll tell you who’s the most underrated, underappreciated player in the game — Tom Liberatore … this man has been unbelievable over the first three weeks. He has been extraordinary in Marcus Bontempelli and Adam Treloar’s absence,” chief Herald Sun footy writer Jay Clark said on First Crack. Montagna called Liberatore “the greatest player in the modern era to never be All-Australian”, adding that he’s “been criminally underrated” throughout his sparkling 237-game career. Through three games this season, ‘Libba’ is averaging a career-high 30.7 disposals per game, as well as 7.3 tackles, 6.0 inside-50s and 7.7 clearances. In their eight-point win over the Blues last Friday night, Liberatore logged 30 disposals, a goal and seven score involvements.